In one year alone, Florida residents experienced over $1.5 billion in hurricane-related damages. That year was 2016. Since then, hurricanes have continued to cost residents millions in insured losses.
As a Florida homeowner, you’ll want to get serious about your hurricane preparations to protect your family and your home, which is often a person’s largest investment. Those preparations may include adding hurricane shutters to your windows and doors. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of hurricane proofing your home with hurricane shutters.
Hurricane Shutters Prevent Property Damage
Hurricanes often cause extensive damage and property loss. Installing hurricane shutters will help protect your property against flying debris that may penetrate window and door openings. Once an intrusion occurs the force of the storm winds can weaken the walls and roof of your home resulting in a partial or full collapse. At a minimum, storm winds and rainfall will damage items inside your home. Shutters also provide an extra layer of protection against intruders entering your home during evacuations and when you or your family members have left.
You can choose from either manual or motorized types of protection. If opting for motorized hurricane shutters make sure it has a manual override or battery backup so you can still operate it in the event of a power outage.
Hurricane Preparedness Can Lower Your Insurance Premium
Your homeowner’s insurance company will reward you once they learn you have taken steps to protect your home. Those benefits can come in the form of discounted rates, including a wind mitigation discount. Making your home hurricane-proof will also lower the likelihood of having to pay for costly repairs in the aftermath of a storm only to be reimbursed, at a much later date, by your insurance company. Hurricane proofing your home with shutters can help prevent financially difficult and stressful situations and your monthly insurance premium may decrease.
Which Option Is Best for Your Home?
If you’re wondering which type of hurricane shutter is best for hurricane proofing your home, it depends on several factors. Certain varieties are better suited for different kinds of home designs.
Accordion Shutters
Accordion shutters are a great choice if you live in an area that gets hit by tropical storms frequently. They’re convenient and easy to open and close once permanently affixed to your home, come in a variety of sizes, and can be custom-made to fit your hurricane home protection needs. Most models can protect your home from storm winds of up to 185 miles per hour (MPH).
Rolling Shutters
Rolling shutters are even faster to use at a moment’s notice because they are permanently attached to your home, often come with motors that can deploy them at the flip of a switch and are long-lasting. Rolling shutters can withstand strong winds, heavy rain, and flying debris, when properly installed.
Look for high-quality options made out of aluminum. An aluminum roll-down shutter can offer hurricane protection, even from a Category 5 storm.
Bahama Hurricane Shutters
Another option to hurricane proof your home is Bahama hurricane shutters. These shutters are permanently attached to your home and can be closed quickly when a storm is approaching. Bahama hurricane shutters also offer protection against Category 5 hurricane force winds.
Get High-Quality Shutters Before The Next Storm
Florida’s annual storm season, June 1 – November 30, can seem like a steady stream of ominous weather forecasts and expert predictions that can raise your anxiety level. The good news is there are plenty of proactive steps you can take to ensure that your home, and everything inside it, is protected. Hurricane shutters are a great way to make sure that your windows and doors will be able to withstand even the most powerful Category 5 hurricane or storm.
Don’t wait until the next hurricane is moving towards us in the Caribbean or the Gulf to invest in your family’s safety. Shutters from Home Safety Solutions are available in a variety of materials and styles to meet your needs. Visit our website and ask for a free quote to help you make an informed decision before you commit.